Hello, everyone. And a shout-out to ahowell1993, Kelly, Betty, Skylar, Amy, Susan, and Martha for either favoring, following, or reviewing Chapter 16.

My apologies if I had made any mistakes but please do enjoy the chapter!

Make sure you are all safe and sound with the COVID-19 pandemic going on.

Previously from the last chapter…

"…There is one, Theo Holston. There's something about him…I just…"

"Maybe he's trying to connect with you." Élise figured before taking a sip.

"I guess."

"…Theo emailed me about information on a former VICAP agent, Owen Quinn…"

"Can I help you with something?"

"Élise, I'd like you to meet Special Agent Mary Meadows."

"…And we also have Benjamin David Merva in custody, the leader of a cult called The Believers…"

"…I'm always fascinated by the work of the BAU. I guess maybe that's why Agent Quinn always aspired to join you guys."

"Stop talking to her."

"I don't like her."

"The last time I had a vibe like that, I got kidnapped and taken hostage and captive by Griffin…."

"I'll watch my back," Reid assures her.

"Are you at Hotch's place?"

"Yep…"

BANG!

"I gotta go!" Reid hangs up.

"Spencer?! SPENCER!?"

"…She took them…Meadows…."

"Meadows took Spencer and Penelope."

"You're not going to get away with it."

"I'd say, "watch me," but you won't be here to see it."

"MERVA!"

BANG-BANG!

"Will you marry me?"

"Yes!"

"Time to confess, Spencer Reid…"

"I…I don't have anything to confess…"

"Ahh!"

"No one's ever going to find you."

"Confess!"

"I haven't done anything."

"Ahh!"

"Theo…"

"Tobias, help me."

"Ahh!"

Would you kill yourself for her?

Yes!

Wait!

"Whoa!"

Reid woke up, wiping the sweat from his face and shallowly panting. All those bad memories in one bad nightmare.

"Mmm," Élise softly groans. She began rubbing her eyes and yawned as she covers her mouth. "Spencer…"

Shaking his head, "I have to…" Reid pulls out the comforters aside and immediately went to go and check up on Anastasia. He almost woke her up as he dashed into her bedroom. Just the thought of Meadows always threatening her, and his mother while being held hostage and under their captive…

But instantly smiled as he sees her soundly asleep.

Reid quietly walks over to her side. He slips a piece of her hair behind her ear before kissing her temple.

Reid felt someone holding his hand.

"She's okay," Élise calmly reminds him, patting his hand to comfort him. "She's sleeping."

"I know." Reid nods his head. "I know."

Anastasia began to softly grumble, causing the two of them to leave her bedroom quietly. After Reid slowly closes her bedroom door.

"It's understandable," Élise continued to pat Reid's hand as they walked back to his bedroom. "I totally get it."

"You know I can't help but worry," Reid replied.

Élise agreed, "Look on the bright side: Merva's in hell with the name meaning winged beast, Meadows and the rest of the overzealous religious hypocritical Believing yahoos are in federal jail…"

"I know, but…"

Élise consoled him. "What happened to Theo was not your fault. You are not responsible for his death."

Reid placed his arm around Élise and kisses her temple, "Thanks for being there for me in Kentucky."

Élise giggly chuckles, "I still can't believe you proposed to me."

"I love you. Reid takes her hands. "And I don't want to spend any yoctosecond leaving without any regrets."

Élise looked into his eyes and smiled. "I don't either."

Their lips lock into a loving kiss.

Élise was just finishing up packing her Goyard luggage when Reid walked in, asking, "So, do you have what you need packed up and ready?"

"Uh-huh," Élise shakes her head before saying, "I think it's a good idea to get away for a little while. And to Williamsburg, too."

"My mother has always wanted to see Williamsburg," Reid said. "Prentiss gave Garcia and me two weeks of medical leave, so yeah, we can get away."

Élise embraces against Reid, "Well, I think it's a great idea." Élise kisses his lips. "Have you told your mother about the engagement?"

"I did."

"And…?" Élise began irresistibly smiling.

Reid massages his ear, "She's excited. I've even told my Aunt Ethel, my Uncle Gordon, my cousins Abigail and Jonah and they're all excited."

"Same with my parents, brother, and sister-in-law; they've over the moon."

Reid grins, "I think it's great; we're going to be one big family and I think it'll going to be a great start."

"Exactly what I'm hoping for." Élise leans closer to Reid, "Even better that we don't have to wait to marry since in Virginia…"

Reid finishes her sentence, "There's no waiting period. Which makes these two weeks together even better."

"Yeah-yeah."

Élise and Reid lock into an adoring kiss.

"Yeah!"

Élise and Reid turn to see Anastasia witnessing them kiss, breaking out into giggles.

"Hey there, you!" Élise squat down to Anastasia's side, "Are you ready to see us get married?"

"Yeah!"

"Are you ready to go see your family?" Reid crouched down.

"Yeah!"

Élise smiled, "At least she's talking more."

"That's always good."

Reid and Élise walked into Brookfield with Anastasia toddling beside them, holding her hands. Walking up to the front desk, Élise asked the red-haired and green-eye receptionist,

"Hello there, Raye," Élise smiled. "We're here to see…"

"Spencer!"

A gleefully blissful Diana Reid rushes to hug Reid once she spotted him, Élise, and Anastasia.

"Mom!" Spencer immediately hugs her back.

"And my soon-to-be daughter-in-law and granddaughter." Diana squeezes the two ladies before gently pulling Élise by her arm into the other room, Anastasia tottering behind them.

"Dr. Reid," A tall woman approached them. "Great to see you again."

"The same with you as well." Reid nods his head before turning his attention back to his mother, Élise, and Anastasia. "So, how's my mother?"

"She's had her moments of mood swings, paranoia, hallucination. But for the past couple of days, she's improved dramatically. Perhaps because of the news of your engagement?" She raised her eyebrows.

"Yes, uh…my fiancée and I are getting married and we want to wed as soon as possible."

"Well, congratulations."

Élise, Anastasia, and Diana came back out smiling and giggling,

"We better go pick Ethel and the rest of the family, huh?" Diana exclaimed. "And be on our way to Williamsburg!"

"Ethel should be arriving soon," Diana said as she watched a plane gently landing.

Reid looked at his silver watch before looking at his cell phone, "Abigail said she would text me when they all landed."

Élise asked as she was bouncing Anastasia in her arms, "Is this the famous Aunt Ethel who doesn't like your long hair?"

"Unfortunately, yes." Reid runs his fingers through his hair. Whispering in Élise's ear, "Even my mother sometimes doesn't like my long hair.

"Maybe she won't comment on your long hair," Élise smirks.

Reid looks at Élise with a doubtful smirk right back.

"Is that my dashing nephew that I see?" A familiar voice was calling out for Reid.

Reid continued to smirk as he knew that voice.

"Aunt Ethel."

Aunt Ethel beamed when she first sighted Reid, causing her to walk-run to him and give him a loving hug.

"I do not love this long hair on you," Ethel commented.

Reid turns to Élise, "I told you."

Ethel fingers through Reid's hair before sighting Élise holding Anastasia.

"You must be Élise." Ethel smiled. "You're so gorgeous."

Élise blushes, "You're so kind."

Ethel's mouth dropped at the sight of Anastasia, "Hi, my pretty little great-niece."

Reid smiled when she sees Anastasia in Ethel's arms before turning his attention to three people. There was a tall late middle-age gentleman with graying hair, dressed comfortably causal; a young man with dark hair and a young woman with dark blonde hair dressed preppy chicly, smiling and waving.

"Uncle Gordon! Abigail! Johan!"

"It's been far too long, cousin." Johan chuckles.

Gordon chortles, "Congratulations, boy-o!" Whispering in his ear, "She's pretty."

"Thank you." Reid sheepishly smiles.

Ethel taps his shoulder, "I'm liking her already." Hissing in his ear, "But I let her know that she better not hurt you or I'll make her wish she never met you."

"Don't worry, Aunt Ethel. She won't." Reid assures her as he takes Anastasia from her arms.

"Lisey!"

Élise turned to see her mother, father, brother, and sister-in-law approaching the group.

"Hi, everyone!" She gave each one of them an affectionate hug. "So glad you can make it."

"Like I would miss this special moment." Élise's father, Micha, coos and kissed her on her head. "My little princess getting married."

"So, when's the wedding?" Élise's mother, Geneva asked.

"Hopefully on Spencer's birthday," Élise held Reid's hand, "In Virginia, there is no waiting period; we can even get married the same day."

"Well, congratulations, you two." Brenda gave Élise another hug.

"Same here, sister," Arthur smirked at Reid before gently taking his arm and whispering in his ear, "I don't care if you're a fed and I'm a bit shorter than you, but if you hurt her in any way, shape, or form, I'll have the foremost pleasure of kicking your ass."

Reid nervously gulped, "Yes."

"Hello, birdies!"

"Cara! Dakota!" Élise's eyes broaden when she saw the two siblings. "I thought you two said you couldn't make it."

"We wouldn't miss this for the world, girl!" Dakota gave her a fist-bump,

Cara whispered in her ear, "I always knew you two would get together."

"Well, this is cozy," Élise said as she cuddled next to Reid in the bed of the Queen's Suite at the Williamsburg Inn.

"Yep," Reid agreed.

"Did you know Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip stayed in 1957 and again back in 2007 to honor the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement?"

"No," Reid said.

Élise kisses Reid, "Well, now you do."

Reid chuckles, "We have so much to do before the wedding next week."

"And then head over to the Washington Inn as our own little honeymoon?" Élise wraps her arms around Reid.

"Exactly." Reid kisses Élise with such passion.

RING!

Élise lightly exclaimed, "What the…?"

Reid noticed his cell phone vibrating on the nightstand.

Élise groans, "Please don't tell me it's the team."

"Definitely not the team," Reid replied before answering, "Hello?"

"Dr. Spencer Walter Reid…"

Reid assures, "Élise and I are not doing anything, Aunt Ethel. I promise."

"Good boy. Not until after the wedding you can..."

"Good night, Aunt Ethel," Reid hangs up and places his phone back on the nightstand.

"Can she…?"

"Yep," Reid answers Élise's question, figuring out what she would say.

"Oh, I like this one!" Élise said, twirling around in a Marchesa A-line, hand-draped tulle gown with an illusion yoke, 3-D rose flower embroidery and sheer bodice details.

"And I like as well…if you want people to see your bosoms." Geneva harshly remarks.

"No." Diana and Ethel said, agreeing with Geneva.

Élise shows off a silk white crepe halter Monique Lhuillier gown with a tulle back train. While Abigail, Brenda, and Cara clapped their hands,

"Again, with all this…" Geneva circles her chest, pointing out the plunging V-neck.

"And it makes you look pregnant," Ethel adds before her eyes widen. "You're not pregnant, are you?"

An Oscar de la Renta ivory silk faille and tulle ball gown with floral degrade beaded embroidery.

While Brenda let out a fox whisper, Abigail gave her a thumb's up, and Cara fanned her.

"Stunning."

Élise smiled.

"But not on you, unfortunately."

An Elie Saab sleeveless embroidered satin sweetheart neckline ball gown with a leather belt at the waist, a satin mikado, and embroidered guipures. While Cara, Abigail, and Brenda looked at each other with satisfied smirks and raised eyebrows,

"Too much going on, don't you think?" Geneva remarks.

"We're never going to find a wedding gown," Élise said, already feeling defeated.

"Don't give up hope, Élise," Abigail said as she helped picked out another wedding dress. "Hopefully, when I get married, my mother won't be as judgmental as yours."

"Remember Élise, when I was picking out my gown," Brenda reminisced. "Even though you were going through…you know?"

"Yup," Élise groaned. "I thought we were never going to find a gown."

"You have to be patient," Brenda replies.

Cara agrees, "Exactly. You'll find the right one."

Abigail adds, "And who knows? Perhaps the next one you pick is the one for you."

"And I see one indeed," Élise breathlessly said as she pulls out a gown.

A spectacular Carolina Herrera gown with a sweetheart bodice and sophisticated floral embroidery.

"Wow!" Brenda, Cara, and Abigail exclaimed in excitement.

Diana and Ethel covered their mouths, "Oh, my…"

"You look absolutely beautiful." Geneva could feel the tear ducts in her eyes.

Élise placed her hands on her hips, confidently asking, "So yes to the dress?"

Simultaneously, "Yes to the dress!"

"We end with a tie, gentlemen," Dakota said as he was keeping score.

"Whoo!" Arthur exhausted. "That was an intense game of tennis."

"It was," Micha said, wiping the sweat from his face. "It was still a good game. And you, Spencer, you're quite good."

Spencer bows his head, "Thank you, sir."

"You don't have to call me 'sir,'" Micha insisted, giving Reid a light tap on his shoulder, "You're about to be my son-in-law."

"Mm-hmm," Arthur sucks his lips into a straight line.

"I haven't play tennis in such a long time," Gordon panted. "I'm not what I'm used to be."

Johan said, "I think you did great, dad."

Reid shrugs his shoulders and asks, "So where to next, gentlemen?"

The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg…

"Well, I needed that," Ethel said as she admired her manicured fingernails before pressing her fingers to her face. "Mmm. I feel younger and brighter."

"I do as well." Geneva agreed.

"I've always wanted a manicure," Cara observed her nails. "And now that I got one, I feel complete."

Diana breathed. "That blue eucalyptus energizing massage hit the spot for me."

"I know what you mean," Élise sighed, "I feel so at peace and serene." Asking Anastasia as she held her hand. "Do you like your nails?"

"Yeah!"

Élise chuckled, petting Anastasia's head as she held her closer, "Oh. You want to look pretty for the wedding, huh?"

Anastasia jumped, "Yeah!"

"So, what did you all want to do next?" Brenda asked.

"I'm going back to my hotel room," Diana answered. "I need some rest."

Geneva replied, following. "And I need to watch my online church."

"I need my rest and my church." Ethel joined the mothers, leaving Élise, Anastasia, Abigail, Cara, and Brenda by themselves.

"Want to get something to eat?" Élise asked.

"Yeah!"

"Oh!" Gordon cheered. "I got a hole-in-one! I got a hole-in-one!"

Johan looked away, embarrassed, "Dad, please."

Reid snickered when his uncle started to dance and swing his hips.

"I say we go back to the clubhouse and relax for a bit before meeting with the ladies," Micha suggested, removing his cap and wipes the sweat from his face.

"I agree." Arthur seconded that.

As the gentlemen begin to walk back to the Gold Course Clubhouse Grill,

"Hey, uh," Arthur spoke up to Reid, "Thanks for the advice you gave back at Hole 8."

"Anytime."

Arthur clears his throat, "Look. Uh…I know you may think I'm a bit tough on you, not just because you're about to be my brother-in-law, but, uh…after what happened with Griffin…I wasn't there for her when she was going…what she went through and…"

"You're her big brother, it's understandable for older brothers to be protective of their younger sisters."

"You better be treating her right," Arthur warns Reid. "I mean it."

"I am," Reid vows.

Arthur shakes his head and lightly grins. "You're alright."

"And I'll even pay for lunch."

Arthur smiled, "Spencer, I think this could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship."

The Williamsburg Inn bride's dressing room…

"Oh, I'm freaking out!" Élise said, pacing back and forth. "I'm freaking out!"

"Just relax," Brenda said as she stopped Élise from wandering and got her to face herself in the three-way mirror. "And look at yourself."

Élise was clad in her wedding wardrobe: her new Carolina Herrera gown, Diana's old veil, borrowed Ethel's blue sapphire earring and matching necklace and her mother's gold bracelet, a sixpence in her Manolo Blahnik swan embellished white satin pumps. She sprinted herself with a little bit of Chanel No. 5 and Quelques Fleurs by Houbigant. Her bouquet was roses, violets, lilies, and marguerites.

Élise's voice slightly perked up, "I do look hot."

"And if Spencer doesn't realize it, that he's an idiot," Cara adds.

Élise exhaled as she turned to face Anastasia, who looked adorable in her blush pink tulle ball gown, her hair in a bun, decorated with lace and flowers.

"Ready to see me get married?"

"Yeah!"

"You're so lucky to be marrying my son," Diana chuckled before gasping at the sight of Élise. Concealing her mouth with her eyes, she felt the tear ducts in her eyes, "You look absolutely perfect. Oh! I'm so glad you're going to be my daughter-in-law."

Élise smiles, "Thank you, Mama Reid."

"Anytime," Diana said before speaking softly in her ear, "I want some grandchildren."

Élise began to giggle as Geneva walked in and Diana left the bridal dressing room,

"Are you okay?"

"I'm good but nervous." Élise truthfully answers.

Geneva replies, "That's understandable."

"I bet Spencer isn't this nervous. And it's his birthday."

"I'm nervous," Reid said as he began fiddling with a pen he had picked up from the dresser. "And it's my birthday."

"Just relax," Dakota urged him as he helped Reid fix up his black bow tie. "You're getting married."

"It was nice to have your uncle to ordinate the ceremony."

Dakota smiled, "Anytime."

Gordon, Arthur, and Micha all walked in.

"Feeling nervous, boy-o?" Gordon correctly guessed.

Reid nods his head in silence.

Arthur scoffs and places his hands on Reid's shoulders, "Believe me, I know how you feel. But once I saw Brenda, all those anxieties went away. Because I was marrying the best woman in the world. That's how you're going to feel when you marry my sister."

Reid smiled, "Thanks, Arthur."

"Of course." Arthur smiled back but murmurs in his ear, "But remember what I said."

Reid gulped. "Yep."

Arthur lightly taps his face just as someone knocked on his door.

"May I come in?"

Diana asked as she peeked her head through the door.

The three gentlemen left the dressing room just as Diana walked in and closed the door behind her.

"Oh, let me look at you," Diana began examining her son's attire before observing his hair. "And that hair…"

"Mom, it's fine." Reid embarrassingly said.

Maternally gushing, "Oh! You're getting married." Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a small velvet box.

"Open it." She insisted and when Reid did, there were two antique wedding bands. "They belonged to your grandparents. They were married for over seventy years until they died in their sleep hours apart when they were in their nineties. It was lucky for them; it'll be lucky for you two."

Reid looked to his mother and gave her a warm hug.

Williamsburg Church…

Reid quietly kept inhaling and exhaling as he stood next to his best man, Uncle Gordon and Cara and Dakota's uncle, Reverend Samuel Jones. His mother, Aunt Ethel, Élise's mother, Dakota, and Cara kept wiping tears from their eyes, wobblily smiled, and waved. Arthur had his arms folded and smirked but kept repeatedly eyeing Reid up and down. Reid's face lightens up a bit when he saw Anastasia being escorted down the aisle with Brenda by her side and helped threw flowers despite her trying to taste and eat the flowers.

Everyone stood up when they realized Élise would be arriving soon,

"Here comes the bride," Reid whispers to himself.

Reid's nerves immediately went away at the sight of Élise walking beside the aisle with her father. This was the woman who came into his life. This was the woman who he is planning on spending the rest of his life with. This was the woman who is the mother of his child and future children.

She is going to be his wife in the next few minutes.

Élise felt nervous with everyone looking at her. She's not used to being the center of attention, not even with a small group of people.

Once she sighted Reid, all that anxiety went away.

He is going to be her husband in the next few minutes.

He is going to be the father of their future children.

The one she'll be spending the rest of her life with.

Reaching to the alter, Reverend Jones grinned and asked,

"Parents of the bride, do you support your daughter's decision to join matrimony with Spencer Walter Reid?"

"My wife and I, our son and daughter-in-law, all do."

Élise gave her parents, brother, and sister-in-law a quick loving hug and the reverend began the ceremony.

"Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness, celebrate, and be part of the matrimony of Spencer Walter Reid and Élise Gabrielle Bastien. We are here under the eyes and witness of God himself. If there's anyone who does not feel this couple should lawfully wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace.

The ceremony continued when no one had anything to say. Reverend Jones looks to Spencer, "Young man, do you take Élise Gabrielle Bastien to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do." Reid smiles.

"Young lady, do you take Spencer Walter Reid to be your husband?"

Élise grins, "I do."

Reverend Jones looks to the crowd and asked, "Do you all witnessing this wonderful moment promise to do all to support these two in their marriage."

"We do." Everyone said together.

"So…who would like to give their vows first?"

Élise raises her hand, "I'll go first."

Clearing her throat, "Spencer Walter Reid, I will not only treat you as my equal but as a best friend, a partner. I want to be there for you all and throughout time itself. I…" Sniffing, "I want to thank you for allowing me to open up my heart. I…" Exhaling. "I want you to know that you are the most sui generis person I've ever met in my entire life. And I mean it. You…enamored, seduced, beguiled, transfixed every inch of me. And…I can't help but love you. From this day forward, I…I don't want to be apart from you."

Reid chuckled as a tear fell and gulped. Deeply exhaling, "You, Élise Gabrielle Bastien, is the most incredible woman I've ever met. For a long time, I…I was afraid to open up my heart again, even a bit little. But then…you came and…I opened my heart and…here we now." Another tear fell from his eyes, "You…enthralled everything about me. And I too don't ever want to be apart from you."

Reverend Jones wiped his eyes as Élise and Reid began exchanging rings.

"Every time you two look at your rings, may they be the reminders of your vows today, morning, noon, and night in Jesus' name. Amen."

"Amen."

Reid smiled as he lifted Élise's veil.

"By the power invested in me, the State of Virginia, and the Lord himself…"

Élise and Reid leaned and began kissing.

"Kiss." Laughing, "Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Walter Reid!"

Everyone clapped and cheered at the newly married couple.